SYMPATHY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'sympathy' differ from other similar words?

The words affinity and attraction are common synonyms of sympathy . While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence. // two minds in sympathy

Q: When might 'affinity' be a better fit than 'sympathy'?

The meanings of affinity and sympathy largely overlap; however, affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn. // an affinity for mathematics

Q: When is 'attraction' a more appropriate choice than 'sympathy'?

In some situations, the words attraction and sympathy are roughly equivalent. However, attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it. // felt an attraction to danger

sympathy

noun

ˈsim-pə-thē

Definition of sympathy next

as in compassion

sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for another's suffering or misfortune since losing her own brother to lung disease, the nurse has had greater sympathy for families going through the same agony

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kindness

the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune the least you could do is have some sympathy for me if I have to stay home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sympathy differ from other similar words?

The words affinity and attraction are common synonyms of sympathy. While all three words mean "the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together," sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

two minds in sympathy

When might affinity be a better fit than sympathy?

The meanings of affinity and sympathy largely overlap; however, affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

an affinity for mathematics

When is attraction a more appropriate choice than sympathy?

In some situations, the words attraction and sympathy are roughly equivalent. However, attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

felt an attraction to danger

Examples of sympathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Impact Plastics expressed sympathy for the missing and deceased workers but stated that workers were given time to leave the factory. —

Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2024 Abbasi may have wanted to avoid putting his finger on the political scale—to steer clear of sympathy or condemnation—but the result is a shallow, murky portrait. —

Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024 The Prince and Princess of Wales, who share three children, issued a statement of sympathy at the time of the stabbings which referenced their perspective as parents. —

Janine Henni, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024 Biden was flailing, Trump was triumphant and naturally receiving a wave of sympathy. —

Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sympathy

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sympathy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.